Clinical depression can develop as early as elementary school. Dr. Xavier Amador, a psychologist and founder of the LEAP Foundation, notes that people with clinical depression can have a variety of symptoms including loss of interest in sports or fri …
Does yelling work? Yelling may intimidate the child, but it does not have impact on the lesson that you are trying to teach, according to J.R. Thicklin, a lay health educator at Community Voice. He points out that there are differences between fear, …
Does early detection of schizophrenia matter? According to Dr. Xavier Amador, a psychologist and the founder of the LEAP Foundation, the importance of identifying schizophrenia cannot be overstated. Early intervention, early treatment, medicine and p …
Sleep is extremely important, especially for growing teenagers. Each day, there is more and more research published on sleep and the negative impact of sleep deprivation to one's overall health. It is important to have a media plan in place and educa …
As a child enters their teenage years, their world begins to expand and they begin to learn from their peers, social media and many other voices. As a parent, it is best to build a meaningful relationship early on to ensure they stay on the right tra …
How can you get prepared for your child's birth? J.R. Thicklin, a lay health educator at Community Voice, suggests being mentally prepared for this responsibility is a crucial step in fatherhood. One can become mentally prepared by reading, learning …
Pregnancy can be stressful, but a supportive partner can help ease it. According to Dr. Joia Crear-Perry, president of the National Birth Equity Collaborative, partners can help decrease stress by providing a safe space to relax and being there to ta …
Like Ramon Barber, a lay health advisor from Community Voice, many fathers may worry about not being able to fulfill the needs of their children, especially when it comes to preparing them to be successful in life. While it can be challenging, father …
Fathers can provide support to their pregnant partner by being present. Ramon Barber, a lay health advisor from Community Voice, suggests simple gestures, such as rubbing their partner's feet after a long day, can show moms-to-be how much the father …
Parents may find that initiating communication with a teen who may have a mental illness can be a challenging task. Dr. Xavier Amador, a psychologist and founder of the LEAP Foundation, recommends having a conversation when the teen is not angry or f …
What's the best way to discipline a preschooler? Ramon Barber, a lay health advisor, provides insight on some tactics that he personally uses with his child, including trying not to yell. Yelling can potentially instill a sense of fear, and that shou …
There is a lot that a father can do in order to reduce a pregnant mother's stress. Ramon Barber, a lay health advisor from Community Voice, points out that a lot of young dads still think they can do what they want to do, whenever they want. Fathers …
How can you avoid drama with your child over technology? Dr. Patrice Harris, president of the American Medical Association, recommends to start having discussions with your child at an early age and set expectations and ground rules. Establish how ol …
Pregnant women need to closely monitor what their bodies are telling them. Dr. Joia Crear-Perry, president of the National Birth Equity Collaborative, says women need to notify their physicians if they have signs of bleeding, unusual pain, severe hea …
To keep the lines of communication open with your teen, you need to make them feel that you are accessible and ready to listen, says Dr. Patrice Harris, president of the American Medical Association. Those lines of communication should be first esta …
VPK or Voluntary Prekindergarten is a free program for 4-year-old Florida residents that helps children prepare for school. The program exposes children to social surroundings, where they can interact with other children and learn while having fun. T …
According to Dr. Patrice Harris, a child psychiatrist and president of the American Medical Association, signs and symptoms of depression include increased irritability, decreased appetite, and increased isolation. Another sign is if your child's aca …
Toddlers are curious. That's why it's so important to keep hazardous materials out of reach and out of sight. Because when they see cleaners, medicines and other hazardous materials, they could mistake them for food or drinks, according to Safe Kids …
Did you know a properly-fitted bike helmet can reduce the risk of head injuries by at least 45 percent? Safe Kids Palm Beach County shares tips for fitting helmets correctly. The helmet must be level from front to back and should contain two fingers' …
You will never regret spending time with your children. According to J.R. Thicklin, a lay health educator at Community Voice, fathers need to understand the value of time and provide the consistency and comfort that their children need. Community Voi …
Intentional parenting is making sure you are deliberate about your actions rather than simply reacting to what your child does. It works, but you shouldn't expect instant results, according to J.R. Thicklin, a lay health educator at Community Voice. …
After birth, new parents are focused on their baby, but there also needs to be close attention paid to the new mother's health. According to Dr. Joia Crear-Perry, president of the National Birth Equity Collaborative, symptoms like bleeding, chest pai …
Autism is usually diagnosed around the age of two, but doctors are cautious to not diagnose a child too early. Just because a child is not developing at the same pace as their peers, it doesn't mean they have a disorder, explains Dr. Patrice Harris, …
How can parents stay up to date on the technology their children use? According to Dwayne Bryant, president and founder of Inner Vision International, the first step is simple: Parents can ask their children. Parents can also talk to teachers and sch …
Do parents who have depression need to tell their children about it? For a parent who has depression, this can be a challenging discussion to have with a child. Dr. Xavier Amador, a psychologist and founder of the LEAP Foundation, shares that it can …
Young children like to climb on things as they explore the world around them. And when they climb, they run the risk of tipping over furniture or a television, says Safe Kids Palm Beach County. That's why it is so important to properly mount TVs and …
How do you talk to young children about code red (school shooting) drills at school? Dr. Patrice Harris, president of the American Medical Association, stresses that when you have such a conversation, you want to focus on safety. You want to emphasiz …
Kimberly Bass, a registered nurse at Palms West Hospital, shares the typical discharge instructions and what a mother can expect when leaving the hospital. After getting the discharge order from the baby's pediatrician and the mother's obstetrician, …
Should a pregnant woman exercise? Dr. Joia Crear-Perry, president of the National Birth Equity Collaborative, says pregnant women can benefit from mindfullness and breathing exercises. In most cases, pregnant women can continue their normal exercise …
Underestimating the responsibilities involved with fatherhood is a common mistake that new dads can make, according to J.R. Thicklin, a lay health educator at Community Voice. While some things may look easy from the outside, the everyday work of bei …
When finding the right pediatric clinic in Palm Beach County, it is important for the parents and children to look for a clinic where they feel comfortable with the physician. According to Dr. Patrice Harris, a child psychiatrist and president of the …
Need tips on safely putting your baby down to sleep? J.R. Thicklin, a lay health educator at Community Voice, recommends fathers put their child to sleep on their backs, instead of their stomach. If a baby were to sleep on their stomach, it could put …
Pregnant women need to recognize the importance of avoiding stressful situations. According to Dr. Joia Crear-Perry, president of the National Birth Equity Collaborative, stress can increase hormones and adrenaline, and if left unchecked for extended …
Technology can be both a blessing and a curse for children and adults. It is a tool that helps children connect with resources and friends, but it also can lead to isolation and expose them to threatening situations. Dr. Xavier Amador, psychologist a …
As a grandparent, how can you help your grandchild if a parent has a mental illness? Since this effects all family members, Dr. Xavier Amador, a psychologist and founder of the LEAP foundation, advises grandparents to initiate a conversation with the …
Dr. Patrice Harris, a child psychiatrist and president of the American Medical Association, shares her concern about teens spending too much time on social media. They are living their lives online and that makes them more susceptible to cyberbullyin …
What's the best part of being a dad? J.R. Thicklin, a lay health educator at Community Voice, emphasizes that there is joy in knowing that you are the one responsible for guiding your child, assisting them in shaping their lives, building a legacy, a …
Can a parent decrease the chances of a child becoming depressed? Dr. Xavier Amador, a psychologist and founder of the LEAP Foundation, says it is important for parents to see if something within their control could be a contributing factor, such as m …
Addressing test anxiety can be difficult for parents, says Dr. Patrice Harris, president of the American Medical Association. Parents can seek professional help by reaching out to their child's pediatrician, psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker …
How can you learn to be a dad if you grew up without a father figure? Ramon Barber, a lay health advisor from Community Voice, recommends that fathers strive to be the father that they wanted but didn't have. Fathers should think about what they want …
From his own experience, J.R. Thicklin, a lay health educator at Community Voice, provides insight on disciplining a child. Fathers need to set guidelines, make clear their expectations and teach their children about the consequences of their actions …
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has introduced a family media tool that allows both parents and children to develop a family media plan. Dr. Patrice Harris, president of the American Medical Association, details how this can help families wo …
Did you know the risk of domestic violence increases during pregnancy? According to Dr. Joia Crear-Perry, president of the National Birth Equity Collaborative, the added stress of pregnancy could make already bad domestic situations worse. If you see …
What can you do to protect your child from cyberbullying? The stats can be scary, with six teenagers committing suicide every day. According to Dwayne Bryant, president and founder of Inner Vision International, the first step is to equip your child …
If you are a parent or grandparent and suspect a child is abusing drugs, Dr. Patrice Harris, president of the American Medical Association, recommends opening a line of communication without judgment. Avoiding judgment can be a challenge. However, it …
Cyberbullying is a concern for many parents, but what can you do if you believe your child may be a victim? Dwayne Bryant, president and founder of Inner Vision International, says the first step is to speak to your child about what is happening to u …
Communication is one of the most important qualities in any relationship and is especially important when it comes to parenting. Ramon Barber, a lay health advisor from Community Voice, recommends improving your communication skills by becoming a bet …
One out of five people in the U.S. suffer from depression and anxiety. Dr. Xavier Amador, a psychologist and founder of the LEAP Foundation, advises parents to recognize symptoms of depressive and anxiety disorders that need immediate intervention. T …
